White wine and ageing

[kymme76]

I know this may sound silly but like red wine does white wine get better with age as well??

[wondersofwine]

Hi, Kymme. Welcome to the board. Yes and no. Most wine on the market is not really intended for long aging and some white wines are more delicate in that respect than red wines. Some of the white wines which do improve (or change in interesting ways) with age are German Riesling at the Auslese or higher level, white Burgundies at the Premier Cru (1er Cru) or Grand Cru level, Sauternes (sweet dessert wines). But most everyday Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, etc. should probably be consumed within two to four years.

[winoweenie]

Hi K76 and welcome to the board. To answer your question succintly, the whites you're asking about are vinified to drink on release. Only top end whites have the penchant for ageing. Also, ALL reds are made in the same manner...to be drank within 2-3 years of vintage. The majority of wine drinkers buy on Tuesday to drink Tuesday nite as they don't have the facilities to PROPERLY age wines. WW

[Innkeeper]

In addition to what WOW and WW told you, the two whites that we age out (say 4 or 5 years from vintage) are well crafted Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings even if they are dry. We would put in this category some nice Sancerres and Pouilly-Fumes from the Lorie Valley of France except for an aboriginal year like '03. Also other SBs from California (Dry Creek Valley Vineyards) and New Zealand. Rieslings can come from Germany, Alsace (almost always very dry), Australia, and the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Although there is not a direct correlation between price and quality, "well crafted" usually means the $20 range and above.